NEXT leads the field for workers' comp insurance in New York, standing out with excellent customer service and comprehensive coverage options. New York's small business owners can also consider The Hartford and Simply Business, as they deliver comparable quality service.
Workers' Comp Insurance in New York
NEXT is New York's top workers' comp insurance provider, with an overall score of 4.6 out of 5, based on our analysis.
Compare top New York workers' comp insurance providers and find your ideal coverage.
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Updated: September 10, 2025
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Key Takeaways
NEXT, The Hartford and Simply Business stand out as New York's top-rated workers' compensation insurance providers based on overall performance scores.
Your business type, number of employees, previous claims and available budget will determine which workers' comp provider fits your needs in New York.
Compare insurance quotes from multiple providers and review their industry expertise, claims handling and coverage options to find the right workers' comp coverage in New York.
Best Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in New York
| NEXT Insurance | 4.60 | 1 |
| The Hartford | 4.57 | 2 |
| Simply Business | 4.52 | 3 |
| biBERK | 4.46 | 4 |
| Coverdash | 4.45 | 5 |
| Nationwide | 4.41 | 6 |
| Hiscox | 4.40 | 7 |
| Thimble | 4.40 | 7 |
| Progressive Commercial | 4.37 | 8 |
| Chubb | 4.27 | 9 |
How Did We Determine These Rates and Rankings?
These rates are estimates based on MoneyGeek's analysis of small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries. Actual rates vary based on your business location, industry risk factors, claims history, coverage limits and individual insurer underwriting criteria. Contact insurers directly for personalized quotes.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT BUSINESS INSURANCE IN NEW YORK
Beyond workers' compensation insurance, New York businesses often need additional protection to fully safeguard their operations. Explore comprehensive coverage options to ensure your business has complete protection through other types of coverage.
Get started with these helpful guides:
Best New York Workers’ Comp Insurance Reviews
NEXT and The Hartford deliver exceptional workers' compensation coverage for New York businesses as the state's premier insurance providers.
NEXT
Overall Best Provider
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.4/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.8/5Coverage Options
Average monthly premium
$80Based on average costs across multiple business typesOur survey: Claims process
3.9/5Rating from verified customer satisfaction surveysOur survey: Recommend to others
4.8/5Percentage of customers who would recommend NEXT Insurance
The Hartford
Runner-Up Best Provider
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.5/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
4.7/5Coverage Options
Average monthly premium
$81Based on average costs for small business coverageOur survey: Claims process
4.5/5Rating from MoneyGeek customer satisfaction surveyOur survey: Recommend to others
4.5/5Percentage of customers who would recommend The Hartford
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in New York
New York businesses can secure affordable workers' comp coverage through NEXT Insurance at $80 monthly ($963 annually). Thimble and The Hartford offer competitive rates at $81 per month each, with less than a dollar separating all three providers. The table below shows costs from all companies we analyzed:
| NEXT Insurance | $80 | $963 |
| Thimble | $81 | $971 |
| The Hartford | $81 | $973 |
| Hiscox | $81 | $978 |
| Simply Business | $83 | $994 |
| Progressive Commercial | $84 | $1,005 |
| Coverdash | $85 | $1,016 |
| biBERK | $85 | $1,023 |
| Nationwide | $95 | $1,143 |
| Chubb | $99 | $1,185 |
How Did We Determine These Rates?
These rates are for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on workers’ comp policies. Your actual premium depends on where your business is located, what industry you're in, how many employees you have, and other factors insurers consider.
Average Cost of Workers’ Comp Insurance in New York
Workers' compensation insurance in New York costs businesses an average of $85 per month or $1,025 annually. New York's rates run $11 above the national monthly average of $74. Your business's actual premium depends on your industry's risk level, number of employees, annual payroll and previous claims experience.
Average Cost of Workers' Comp in New York by Industry
In New York, workers' compensation insurance costs vary by industry. Speech therapists pay New York's lowest rates at $7 per month, while roofing businesses face monthly premiums of $970. This substantial difference reflects the varying workplace injury risks across industries.
| Accountants | $24 | $283 |
| Ad Agency | $18 | $221 |
| Auto Repair | $176 | $2,118 |
| Automotive | $138 | $1,651 |
| Bakery | $63 | $750 |
| Barber | $16 | $196 |
| Beauty Salon | $17 | $203 |
| Bounce House | $47 | $561 |
| Candle | $47 | $558 |
| Cannabis | $98 | $1,172 |
| Catering | $86 | $1,034 |
| Cleaning | $56 | $673 |
| Coffee Shop | $55 | $654 |
| Computer Programming | $33 | $392 |
| Computer Repair | $28 | $338 |
| Construction | $210 | $2,524 |
| Consulting | $35 | $420 |
| Contractor | $193 | $2,319 |
| Courier | $261 | $3,132 |
| DJ | $16 | $195 |
| Daycare | $16 | $186 |
| Dental | $13 | $155 |
| Dog Grooming | $75 | $906 |
| Drone | $31 | $375 |
| Ecommerce | $25 | $303 |
| Electrical | $67 | $808 |
| Engineering | $45 | $535 |
| Excavation | $124 | $1,490 |
| Florist | $71 | $847 |
| Food | $49 | $591 |
| Food Truck | $53 | $632 |
| Funeral Home | $31 | $376 |
| Gardening | $54 | $654 |
| HVAC | $73 | $878 |
| Handyman | $107 | $1,286 |
| Home-based | $12 | $141 |
| Hospitality | $81 | $970 |
| Janitorial | $57 | $679 |
| Jewelry | $35 | $422 |
| Junk Removal | $161 | $1,927 |
| Lawn/Landscaping | $43 | $521 |
| Lawyers | $61 | $732 |
| Manufacturing | $69 | $825 |
| Marine | $175 | $2,097 |
| Massage | $17 | $204 |
| Mortgage Broker | $16 | $194 |
| Moving | $302 | $3,628 |
| Nonprofit | $37 | $448 |
| Painting | $164 | $1,963 |
| Party Rental | $43 | $516 |
| Personal Training | $29 | $350 |
| Pest Control | $82 | $979 |
| Pet | $36 | $431 |
| Pharmacy | $7 | $89 |
| Photography | $20 | $237 |
| Physical Therapy | $8 | $95 |
| Plumbing | $75 | $895 |
| Pressure Washing | $98 | $1,171 |
| Real Estate | $35 | $416 |
| Restaurant | $73 | $881 |
| Retail | $40 | $485 |
| Roofing | $970 | $11,637 |
| Security | $61 | $731 |
| Snack Bars | $51 | $607 |
| Software | $31 | $369 |
| Spa/Wellness | $20 | $244 |
| Speech Therapist | $7 | $85 |
| Startup | $15 | $183 |
| Tech/IT | $32 | $378 |
| Transportation | $266 | $3,190 |
| Travel | $8 | $98 |
| Tree Service | $253 | $3,042 |
| Trucking | $314 | $3,763 |
| Tutoring | $12 | $138 |
| Veterinary | $23 | $270 |
| Wedding Planning | $33 | $398 |
| Welding | $137 | $1,643 |
| Wholesale | $46 | $557 |
| Window Cleaning | $244 | $2,933 |
How Much Workers' Comp Insurance Do I Need in New York?
In New York, businesses must carry workers' compensation insurance as soon as they hire their first employee. This coverage helps pay for medical expenses and lost wages if workers get injured or become ill due to their job.
Employers who fail to provide required coverage face penalties of $2,000 for every 10 days without insurance, with additional fines up to $50,000 for serious violations. New York also treats this as a criminal offense.
Sole Proprietors
Business owners operating alone can typically opt out of workers' compensation coverage since they are considered self-employed rather than employees
Corporate Officers
Executive officers owning at least 25% of company shares may exclude themselves from coverage by filing an official waiver
Independent Contractors
Workers who maintain control over their work methods and schedule while providing their own tools and equipment usually qualify for exemption
Real Estate Agents
Licensed real estate professionals working on commission basis are typically exempt when operating as independent contractors
Domestic Workers
Household employees working less than 40 hours per week or earning under $1,000 per quarter may be exempt from coverage requirements
Agricultural Workers
Small farms with limited seasonal workers or family members often qualify for exemption from mandatory coverage
Remote Workers
Telecommuting employees working exclusively from home may qualify for exemption if they meet specific criteria for independent work
Seasonal Employees
Workers hired for temporary periods less than 13 weeks per year might be exempt depending on industry and employment terms
How to Get the Best Workers' Comp Insurance in New York
While New York workers' compensation requirements might seem complex, you can find coverage that maintains reasonable business insurance costs.
- 1
Check coverage requirements
New York state law requires most businesses with employees to carry workers' comp insurance. Even hiring one part-time worker typically triggers this requirement.
- 2
Prepare Business Documents
Collect accurate payroll records, employee count, and job classifications before requesting quotes. Having correct information helps avoid audit issues and ensures proper coverage levels.
- 3
Get multiple insurance quotes
Contact at least three different insurance carriers for quotes. Rates in New York can vary between providers for the same coverage type.
- 4
Find industry-specific providers
Search for insurers who understand your industry's unique risks and compliance requirements.
- 5
Compare provider services
Review each insurer's benefits, claim processing times and complaint history
- 6
Review policy details
Examine coverage limits and exclusions. Consider payment flexibility options, including pay-as-you-go that can help manage cash flow.
- 7
Schedule annual reviews
Check your coverage yearly because changes in payroll, employee count or business operations can affect your needs.
New York Workers’ Comp: Bottom Line
New York businesses have access to several outstanding workers' compensation insurance providers. Our analysis shows NEXT, The Hartford and Simply Business leading the pack as top-rated insurers in New York. Consider getting quotes from multiple providers to find the best match for your specific industry needs and company size.
New York Workers' Comp Insurance: FAQ
Find clear answers to your questions in our comprehensive FAQ section below.
Is workers' comp insurance required for all New York businesses?
New York state law requires most businesses with employees to carry workers' compensation insurance.
How much does workers' comp insurance cost in New York?
NEXT offers the lowest-priced workers' comp insurance in New York at $80 per month ($963 annually).
What does workers' comp insurance cover in New York?
New York workers' comp insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages for employees with work-related injuries or illnesses.
Which workers' comp insurance company is best in New York?
NEXT leads New York workers' comp providers with a 4.6 overall score, excelling in customer service (4.7) and coverage options (4.80). The Hartford follows at 4.57, known for consistent affordability, while Simply Business ranks third at 4.52, offering the highest coverage score (4.9).
What happens if I don't have workers' comp insurance in New York?
Operating without workers' compensation insurance in New York is illegal. Employers face fines of $2,000 per 10-day period without coverage, plus criminal charges.
Do sole proprietors need workers' comp insurance in New York?
Sole proprietors in New York generally don't need workers' compensation insurance.
How do I choose the right workers' comp insurance company in New York?
Start by getting quotes from at least three workers' comp insurance carriers in New York. Look for insurers with experience in your specific industry.
How We Scored the Best Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in New York
- Affordability (50%): Cost drives every small business insurance decision in New York's expensive market. We compared monthly premiums across all companies, since even comprehensive policies won't help if you can't afford them.
- Customer experience (30%): When your employee gets hurt, you'll need an insurer that handles claims quickly and treats injured workers fairly. We used J.D. Power ratings, New York Department of Insurance complaint data and independent reviews.
- Coverage options (15%): We evaluated each company's policy flexibility, add-on options and coverage limitations for specific New York industries and regulatory requirements.
- Financial strength (5%): Premium savings don't matter if your insurer struggles financially. We checked AM Best ratings to ensure recommended carriers can deliver on their promises.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.